Our programs and activities work to recruit, support, and maintain a diverse health care workforce.

PRE-COLLEGE STUDENTS

Interested in a career in health care? AHEC can help you find your career path.

RURAL HEALTH CAREERS CAMP is a fun-filled three-day overnight camp for high school students considering a career in health care. Students participate in hands-on learning activities that represent different health professions; visit the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford Campus and meet with working professionals who provide insight into their work; and receive guidance on the college application process. Plus, they get to stay overnight at a Rockford area retreat center or college campus. If this sounds like a fun way to learn, learn more. [note]

JOB SHADOWING is a great way to explore the challenging and rewarding positions that the health care field has to offer. By experiencing a “day in the life” of a health care professional, you learn about the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to work in that field. You get the opportunity to ask questions, observe job tasks, and see how professionals provide team-based care. We can help arrange shadowing experiences through partnerships with hospitals, local clinics and other health care facilities. Contact us to set up a shadowing experience and see if a career in health care is for you. [note]

COLLEGE LEVEL HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS

The health care work environment is changing rapidly, and students often need additional training to enhance their current curriculum. AHEC has those opportunities for you.

JOB SHADOWING experiences are not only for those considering a health career. Many students continue to shadow to learn more about the field and make connections with professionals who might be their colleagues in the future. Some graduate schools (for example, DPT programs) even require a certain number of shadowing hours to be completed before you apply, and others require job shadowing as part of their degree program. We can help arrange shadowing experiences through partnerships with hospitals, local clinics and other health care facilities. Contact us to set one up.

CAREER ADVISING is available to health profession students from working professionals who can share their day-to-day experiences and provide real life insight into their chosen field. Contact us today to connect with a health care professional.

AHEC SCHOLARS is a two-year program for students who are committed to improving health care in rural and underserved communities. It uniquely blends community-based experiential opportunities with online training on key topics such as cultural competency and social determinants of health. Being an AHEC Scholar gives students the opportunity to distinguish themselves and to make meaningful connections that can lead to future employment and career growth. See details and apply.

RURAL HEALTH EXPERIENCES (RHE) is a three- to five-day opportunity for students to fully immerse themselves in rural health care at a site in Illinois. Participants shadow professionals of various disciplines in a rural hospital or clinic as well as observe interprofessional team meetings. This collaboration between AHEC and the National Center for Rural Health Professions is open to AHEC Scholars (priority), undergraduate juniors and seniors, and gap year students. Learn more..

6-WEEK RURAL INTERPROFESSIONAL PRECEPTORSHIP is a full-time, paid rural immersion experience in a rural community. Students shadow a variety of health professionals in hospital and clinic settings, county health departments and other organizations. They discuss core topics in underserved health care and develop and implement a community service learning project focused on a real-life health priority in the community. The program, offered annually through a collaboration with the National Center for Rural Health Professions, is open to AHEC Scholars and students in the third or fourth year of their academic program. Learn more.

EDUCATORS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

AHEC is here to help you prepare the students of today to be the health care professionals of tomorrow.

HEALTH CAREER CLUBS give students in grades 9-12 a way to explore the many paths they can follow to a rewarding career in health care. Club meetings often include speakers, games, and activities such as earning CPR and AED certifications. You can learn valuable leadership skills while working with other students on community health initiatives, and it’s a way to become a strong candidate for college admissions, scholarships, and internships. Contact us to discuss how we can support your health careers club.

HEALTH FAIRS AND EXPOS are ways for Northwest AHEC to participate in your health-themed celebrations, whether it be putting setting up a booth at the tractor show or sending a speaker to promote health and wellness activities. Contact us about how we can work together to promote the health and wellness of your audience.

CLASSROOM-BASED PRESENTATIONS are an essential part of our promotion of health careers. We can come to your school or organization and teach students in a fun and engaging way about the vast opportunities in health care. Contact us to schedule a date to speak with your group.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS

CONTINUING EDUCATION sessions, in the classroom and online, are designed to support the educational needs of practicing health care professionals in rural and underserved communities. The IL AHEC network provides educational opportunities for current health professionals. Contact us for details.

(Shown at top, students peer into microscopes while they explore laboratory science and practice their skills.)